Structur3d demonstrates its new Discov3ry paste extruder for 3D printers above using materials like kid’s favourite Nutella. Below are samples of some of the things they’ve created with the new device, including Star Wars icing for cupcakes.

The potential of 3D printers took another step forward last week when Waterloo-based startup Structur3D Printing unveiled a paste extruder that allows users to print with any paste-like material.

Called Discov3ry, the new device you can add to your 3D printer allows you to use things you find in your kitchen, like cake icing, to build three-dimensional creations. It’s already generating a lot of buzz with a video showing it using favourite children’s food Nutella to build various designs and has formed the basis of a successful start to a Kickstarter fundraising campaign that can be seen at www.bit.ly/kicks3d.

The development of 3D printing had been limited in the technology’s infancy by the fact that it had to use standard PLA or ABS plastic for its creations.

The Discov3ry paste extruder opens up a world of possibilities as people who use them redefine manufacturing and take it into the realm of advanced manufacturing where you’re only limited by your imagination in what you can build. The paste extruder was the brainchild of Dr. Charles Mire and Andrew Finkle, who have links to the University of Waterloo and had a background in material science and nanotechnology from IQC. During the course of their research, they both found a need to extrude and deposit paste-like materials to study their properties and do some of their testing.

They crossed paths at the local creative space called Kwartzlab last fall, where like-minded people get together in a cooperative environment, and saw they had a common interest.

“They met one another at the local hackerspace, called Kwartlab,” said John Mardlin, director of business development for Structur3d. “They realized they were both working on solving the same problem, and they actually had fairly complementary skills in that area.”

Mire was further along in his research about the materials while Finkle had the expertise in 3D printing and how it worked, and earlier this year joined the HyperDrive program at the Communitech Hub to actually build what they envisioned. “It might be too early to call it, but the rest is history,” said Mardlin.

Mardlin said the potential for 3D printing is off the charts but up until now makers have been limited by their materials.

“You go to a maker event and you see a plastic Yoda head, but there’s limited utility there,” said Mardlin. “It’s mostly restricted to making trinkets or a few useful things you can print around your house.

“Where we’re adding a lot of value is enabling people to create things that have more texture, are more flexible or use materials that are biodegradable.”

Structur3D is funding the Discov3ry through a successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. It’s already past the $50,000 mark and is on its way to $100,000. For more info visit www.structure3d.io.